Recreational sports leagues for adults
Recreational sports leagues provide opportunities for adults to play at beginner, intermediate and competitive levels in many athletic games. Soccer, ultimate frisbee, softball, volleyball, kickball, basketball, and various other team sports are offered at differing skill levels to encourage participation regardless of skill (Pharr 2019).
What could this strategy improve?
Expected Benefits
Our evidence rating is based on the likelihood of achieving these outcomes:
- Increased physical activity
Potential Benefits
Our evidence rating is not based on these outcomes, but these benefits may also be possible:
- Increased physical activity
- Improved mental health
What does the research say about effectiveness? -+
Increasing access to recreational sports leagues and their facilities is a suggested strategy to increase adult physical activity (HPbD, US DHHS-Be active, WIPAN-Worksites, WIPAN-Communities). Available evidence suggests that opportunities to participate in recreational sports leagues and use their facilities and equipment are associated with increased participation in physical sport activities (Diez Roux 2007, Wendel-Vos 2007). Adults participating in team sports are more likely to get recommended levels of aerobic exercise than those participating in individual sports (Pharr 2019). However, additional evidence is needed to confirm effects.
Evidence has shown recreational soccer participation improves fitness and cardiometabolic risk factors among adults (Bellissimo 2018). Surveys suggest adults participating in team sports as their primary physical activity may have a decreased risk of depression (Pharr 2019). Team sport participants report playing for enjoyment, social interactions with teammates, and fitness and weight loss goals (RWJF-Sports and health 2015).
Participation rates in organized sport activities are higher among males than females, lower among individuals with low incomes than those with higher incomes, and decline with age (Cochrane-Priest 2008a, RWJF-Sports and health 2015). Data also suggest participants in team sports are more likely to be younger, male, black or Hispanic, employed, and single, while participants in individual sports are more likely to be older, married, white, and retired (Pharr 2019).
Implementation Examples -+
Adult recreational sports leagues exist across the country. Sports Monster offers a searchable database of programs in some cities (Sports Monster). Adult sports leagues are often run by non-profit organizations, a local YMCA or JCC (YMCA-Adult sports, JCC-Fitness), or parks and recreation departments (Cape Girardeau-Sports, NRPA-Recreation and health).
Implementation Resources -+
US DHHS-PAG - U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (U.S. DHHS). Physical activity guidelines for Americans (PAG).
Citations -+
* Journal subscription may be required for access.
Badgerland Softball - Badgerland Softball. Our Mission.
Bellissimo 2018* - Bellissimo MP, Galaviz KI, Paskert MC, et al. Cardiometabolic risk reduction through recreational group sport interventions in adults: A systematic review and meta-analysis. Mayo Clinic Proceedings. 2018;93(10):1375-1396.
Cape Girardeau-Sports - City of Cape Girardeau. Sports leagues, locations, events.
Cochrane-Priest 2008a* - Priest N, Armstrong R, Doyle J, Waters E. Interventions implemented through sporting organisations for increasing participation in sport. Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews. 2008;(3): CD004812.
Diez Roux 2007 - Diez Roux AV, Evenson KR, McGinn AP, et al. Availability of recreational resources and physical activity in adults. American Journal of Public Health. 2007;97(3):493-9.
HPbD - Healthy Places by Design (HPbD). Advances community-led action and proven, place-based strategies to ensure health and wellbeing for all.
JCC-Fitness - Jewish Community Center Association (JCC), DiscoverJCC.com. Programs and services at JCCs of North America: Health & fitness.
MGHA - Madison Gay Hockey Association (MGHA). About the MGHA.
NRPA-Recreation and health - National Recreation and Park Association (NRPA). Recreation and health.
Pharr 2019 - Pharr JR, Lough NL, Terencio MA. Health and sociodemographic differences between individual and team sport participants. Sports (Basel). 2019;7(6):150.
RWJF-Sports and health 2015 - National Public Radio/Robert Wood Johnson Foundation/Harvard T.H.Chan School of Public Health. Sports and health in America. Princeton: Robert Wood Johnson Foundation (RWJF); 2015.
Sports Monster - Sports Monster. America’s favorite adult recreational leagues.
US DHHS-Be active - U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (U.S. DHHS). Be active your way: A guide for adults.
Wendel-Vos 2007* - Wendel-Vos W, Droomers M, Kremers S, Brug J, van Lenthe F. Potential environmental determinants of physical activity in adults: a systematic review. Obesity Reviews. 2007;8(5):425–40.
WIPAN-Communities - Wisconsin Partnership for Activity and Nutrition (WIPAN). Active community environments.
WIPAN-Worksites - Wisconsin Nutrition and Physical Activity (WIPAN). What works in worksites.
YMCA-Adult sports - Young Men’s Christian Association (YMCA). Adult team sports.